Abstract: A protective tire liner positioned between the bicycle inner tube and the bicycle outer tire of a bicycle wheel. The protective tire liner comprises a thin lightweight puncture resistant flexible strip of metallic material, preferably of recycled aluminum to protect the inner tube from puncture damage. The lightweight puncture resistant flexible strip of recycled aluminum has a thickness of 0.002?-0.035?. The protective tire liner also includes polyurethane protective tape which is applied to major first and second surfaces of the lightweight puncture resistant flexible strip of recycled aluminum to give added protection against puncture and enhance the strength and durability of the recycled aluminum strip. The polyurethane protective tape prevents the puncture resistant flexible metal strip from accordianing and covers the edges of the puncture resistant flexible metal strip to prevent it from abrading the inner tube.

Abstract: An improved annular shaped tire liner which is adapted to fit inside of, around and in contact with a casing of a pneumatic tire and in compression by the casing and a method for preparing the tire liner is described. The liner has a thickness which provides substantial protection against penetration of the tire to the inside of the casing. The tire liner is characterized by having a section which is an annular strip of high pressure and temperature vulcanized and molded rubber, preferably of the type used for bonding to the outside of a tire casing as a tread, with ends joined by a thin section of low temperature and pressure vulcanized rubber. The low temperature and pressure vulcanized rubber is preferably derived from a vulcanizable rubber used to bond the molded rubber to a tire casing and is sometimes referred to as "cushion rubber".

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a "run-flat" capability, is disclosed. The tire is in the form of a substantially toroidally shaped carcass having a pair of bead-reinforced sidewall regions and a crown region annularly bridging the sidewall regions. Internally of the carcass, there is provided an expandable nail-deflector for deflecting a nail that punctures, for example, the crown region. The nail deflector has a releasably constrained normal condition when the crown region is puncture-free that is annularly spaced from the interior of the crown region, and is circumferentially self-expandable into engagement with the interior of the crown region upon puncture of the latter by a nail to deflect such nail harmlessly away from its path of entry.